Will the amount of money I receive from my workers’ comp claim be different depending on the type of burn I suffer?

Yes. Although any burn injury is serious and deserving of workers’ compensation benefits, some burns are more severe and warrant more compensation depending on the outcome. The severity level of a burn can determine the amount victims are compensated. For example, a victim with a fourth-degree burn will likely get more money for his or her burn injury than a victim with a first-degree burn.

To help you understand the severity levels of burns, the definitions of first, second, third and fourth-degree burns are listed here:

• First degree burns are the least serious of the four types of burns. Although a first-degree burn can result in pain, redness, and damage to the outer layer of skin, most first degree burns can be treated with antiseptic and a bandage.
• Second degree burns also result in pain, redness, and damage to the outer layer of skin, but they are more serious than first degree burns because the second layer of skin is also injured. It is possible that victims who suffer from second-degree burns will have scarring.
• Third degree burns also cause the same side effects as those listed above; however, a burn of this level will damage the fatty layer underneath the second layer of skin. Victims who suffer third-degree burns will often require narcotics to help with the pain.
• Fourth-degree burns are the most serious of the four types of burns. This type of burn is damage done very deeply beneath the skin. Typically, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are damaged as well as nerve damage occurs. Sadly, many people succumb to fourth-degree burns.

As you can see here, there are different severity levels of burns, which can dictate the severity of your injury to your employer and its insurance carrier. To make sure you get the most compensation possible following a work-related burn injury in FL, contact us to speak with an experienced injury lawyer.